[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 88 (Friday, June 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEARS 2010 AND 2011

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                               speech of

                     HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 10, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2410) to 
     authorize appropriations for the Department of State and the 
     Peace Corps for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, to modernize the 
     foreign Service, and for other purposes:

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this essential 
amendment, recognizing Israel's right to defend itself from an imminent 
nuclear or military threat from Iran and other countries and 
organizations.
  As Iran forges ahead with its quest for a nuclear weapons capability, 
it is vital for Congress to recognize Israel's urgent need to deal with 
the looming threat of a nuclear-armed Iran.
  Like all sovereign nations, Israel has not only a right, but 
moreover, an obligation, to ensure the safety and security of her 
citizens.
  An imminent nuclear or military threat from Iran would certainly 
endanger her citizens, and that is why, in the strongest of terms, I 
support my colleague's vital amendment.
  According to the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, Iran has sped up its 
production of nuclear fuel and has increased its number of installed 
centrifuges to 7,200--more than enough to make fuel for two nuclear 
bombs per year.
  If Iran possessed nuclear weapons, it could share this technology 
with terrorist groups to carry out attacks against both Israel and the 
United States.
  Let me be very clear. A nuclear-armed Iran would certainly constitute 
an existential threat to Israel, but would not only threaten Israel. As 
the leading state sponsor of international terrorism, a nuclear-armed 
Iran would pose unacceptable threats to global security.
  This rogue nation's possession of a nuclear weapon would likely lead 
to nuclear proliferation elsewhere in the region and around the globe, 
while fundamentally altering the strategic balance of the Middle East, 
and endangering U.S. national security interests.
  Undoubtedly, now is the time for us all to stand together in support 
of Israel and global peace and security. I urge my colleagues to 
support this critical amendment, and pray that Iran suspends its 
nuclear program, and starts working towards peace instead of terror.

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